Our Housewares Department is loaded like a baked potato with food prep necessities, home canning equipment and a dazzling selection of all things cast iron and enamelware. What’s old is new again at McLendon.

Project FAQs

When lightbulbs flicker and doorbells don’t ding-dong, all is not lost. Our Project FAQs contain hundreds of frequently asked questions, all complete with an answer. Once you know where to begin, we can help you finish. Match up your project with one of our 70 how-to videos and step-by-step project instructions. We’ll even give you a list of materials needed. Now go turn that do-it-yourself project into a did-it-myself success.

A.No, laws require that they be recycled. This includes Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and small-sealed Lead (Pb) batteries. You can look for a battery recycling seal on the rechargeable batteries found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless telephones, laptop computers and camcorders.

A.Usually the problem is simply an overload and you only need to run fewer appliances on the circuit. However, if it is not overloaded and it keeps tripping, you should suspect a short. Also, look for a defective cord, socket or plug.

A.A hammer with a curved claw provides leverage for pulling nails. A rip (straight claw) hammer is often the choice of professionals because it is usually a slightly heftier tool that is used to rip apart wood that has been nailed together.

Hardware

A:Most locks come in two sizes: 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" backset. This is how far the center of the hole is away from the edge of the door. The customer needs to know this distance or purchase a lock that has an adjustable backset.

Lawn and Garden

A.The three numbers on fertilizer labels represent the percentages of plant nutrients by weight and are always expressed in the same order. The first number represents the nitrogen (N), the second represents the phosphorus (P) and the last one represents the potassium (K). The three numbers are also regularly called N-P-K.

A. Just remember "up, down and all around."
Nitrogen helps with growth above ground: leafy foliage and grass grow well with help from nitrogen.
Phosphorus encourages plant growth below ground, and is most responsible for flower and fruit production. A fertilizer with a high middle number will help your new lawn settle in with stronger roots and it encourages leafy green plants to set flowers and bloom.
Potassium benefits the overall health of the plant, making stronger plants that better handle environmental stresses like heat, cold, pests and diseases.

A.A 12-12-12 helps promote growth and is good for all vegetables, flowers, fruit and nut trees, shade trees, evergreens and shrubs. A 1-1-1 ratio (10-10-10, 15-15-15, 20-20-20, etc.) is widely used at the time of lawn establishment, but established lawns generally respond better to fertilizer ratios high in nitrogen. Two of the more common complete fertilizers used by homeowners for flowers and vegetables are 10-10-10 and 5-10-10. A high-phosphorus fertilizer, such as 6-18-6, is often recommended for vegetables when transplants are set out.

A.These are nutrients plants need in tiny amounts, such as sulfur and iron. Generally, micronutrient deficiencies are not common because organic matter and most soils and fertilizers contain sufficient amounts.

A.Some fertilizers are designed for certain uses or types of plants such as citrus food, rose food or azalea food. For example, azalea fertilizer has been specifically formulated to acidify the planting medium. Packaging of other fertilizers for specific types of plants is often based more on marketing then reliable research. Pick the most inexpensive product that supplies the correct amount of needed nutrients.

Paint

A.For many paints, one gallon will cover 400 square feet. However, the quality of the paint can affect how much it will cover. The label on the paint can usually provide some guidance. In addition, there are a number of factors that affect how much paint you will need, including the type of surface being covered, the color currently on the surface and the color being applied.

A.Paint has three components: the binder, the pigment and the liquid. The best paints contain a higher volume of solid materials. Pay close attention to the solid content. For example, a $13 gallon of paint with a solid content of 19 percent might cover about 200 square feet, while a $20 gallon of paint with 41 percent solid content will cover about twice that amount. The binder is the most important factor in the durability. Some paints also have additives to enhance their performance, such as mildewcide.

A.Oil-based paints have resins and thinners in them that evaporate when the paint dries. This process forms a hard coating and provides heavier coverage on the first coat, more effective penetration and excellent adhesion. They are particularly good for chalky surfaces and surfaces that already have several layers of oil-based paint.

A.It refers to how shiny the paint is. Manufacturers use terms such as flat, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss to describe their paints, but there are no specific industry standards. The glossier the paint, the easier it is to clean.

Frequently asked questions are just that –– common, sometimes complicated, problems or issues that arise within the realm of home maintenance. You’ll find our Project FAQs full of answers. We’ve answered comprehensive queries in the areas of electrical how-to, hand and power tool know-how, hardware knowledge, paint ponderings, plumbing predicaments and lawn and garden insight. Knowing where to begin is half the battle, and we’ll help you win the good fight.